Under pressure Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo shoulders the responsibility for the European champions catastrophic 3-0 defeat to Juventus.

Speaking in a post-match press conference the Chelsea boss took the blame for the costly defeat that leaves the Champions League holders hopes of qualification from the group stage hanging by a thread.

Di Matteo had gambled tactically by leaving misfiring striker Fernando Torres out of the Turin starting lineup, a decision which meant that Chelsea began the game without a recognised centre-forward.

"I decided to reinforce midfield and control the left side. I didn't want to give the (Juventus) centre backs a reference point," Di Matteo told reporters.

"The first good chance fell to us, Oscar had a second one, Mata found himself in front of the goal, in transition we were dangerous and created chances. The first goal was lucky for Juventus, there was a big deflection. In tight games, the first goal is a lot of times decisive," he said.

With rumours beginning to fly that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich may look to replace his coach with former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez or former Chelsea caretaker Avram Grant, Di Matteo shirked none of the responsibility for the loss which leaves the Blues in danger of becoming the first titleholders to be knocked out in the Champions League group stage since the competition began.

The club’s defence of the trophy won is now out of their hands, with Juventus needing only a point in the final Group E match at Shakhtar Donetsk to join the Ukrainians in the last 16. Chelsea will face FC Nordsjaelland at home needing to win and hope.